The Evolution of the Polynesian Chiefdoms

Patrick Vinton Kirch

The Evolution of the Polynesian Chiefdoms is not about the institution
of chiefdoms in a restrictive sense, but rather a general study of the
prehistory of the Polynesian islands. Kirch uses archaeological
evidence extensively (unsurprisingly given his background), and stresses
a diachronic viewpoint. The use of the word "evolution" in the title,
and the drawing of analogies with the "founder principle" in genetics
reflects his understanding and use of the natural sciences: demography,
ecology and climatology also feature prominently.

Part one describes the physical environment of Polynesia and constructs
an outline of ancestral Polynesian society as deciphered by archaeology
and linguistics. Part two looks at the different processes that have
dominated the diachronic development (both cultural and ecological) of
the different islands: colonisation and attendant adaptation,
demography, changing environments, intensification of production systems
and warfare. In part three societies on Tonga, Hawaii and Easter Island
are examined in detail and used to illustrate the processes described
in part two.

Rather than presenting a collection of miscellaneous facts without any
overall perspective (as many archaeological studies do), or insisting
on viewing everything in the light of one "big" theory (as some social
anthropologists do), Kirch presents a very nice balance of theory and
evidence. While he always tries to look at things from a global
perspective and to incorporate the evidence into theoretical models,
the theories he employs are always chosen as the best tools for the
data in question. He is also prepared to use theories from other
disciplines where appropriate.

The Evolution of the Polynesian Chiefdoms is a clearly written and
presented account of the development of a culture which is particularly
intriguing because of its unique physical environment. It is an example
of anthropology at its best, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone
with any interest in the area at all.